Paul Zak, a “neuroeconomist,” studies why we humans like and trust each other. And the answer, he’s found, is the compound oxytocin. In this photo, he’s brought a syringe loaded with the stuff onstage, and he creates a striking visual aid (and an outbreak of love and trust among the backstage crew) by atomizing it into the air. Photos: James Duncan Davidson / TED. Photo editor: Mike Femia

PS: Zak, who’s sometimes known as “Dr. Love,” also shared his prescription for nonchemical happiness: the hug, at least 8 a day. As he steps offstage, he gets a dose from TEDGlobal host Bruno Giussani.

TED2013 kicks off in just 11 days. And, in the very first session, Robert J. Gordon and Erik Brynjolfsson will ascend the stage for a debate on the future of work. While Gordon will focus on how our current ecosystem of innovation is too focused on personal gadgetry, and thus isn’t setting us up to solve the […]